Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

CHARLESTON, MAY 18.

The U. S. Gun Boat, No. 17, Lt. John Keer, commander, bound to St. Mary's. in attempting to beat out at the south channel yesterday morning, missed stays, and went on shore near the point of Sullivan's Island.
Seas waves and drifted upon the south breakers; the wind being strong at east, and a heavy sea upon the bank, rendered it impossible for any boat to approach her, and the small boat which they had on board, having been dashed to pieces by a sea, immediately after she struck, the crew had no other alternative but to cling to the rigging in the hope that something might come to their relief. It was about 9 o'clock in the morning when the Gun Boat struck on the breakers, and at ten her mast having worked out of the step, she instantly rolled over and the whole crew (22 in number) were precipitated into the waves. Those among them who could swim, got upon the bottom of the vessel, where they remained for some hours, and about 2 or 3 o'clock, when the wind loured, those who had sufficient strength remaining, swam about 70 or 80 yards to some fishing boats which were on the look out to save them, but who could not approach the place where the vessel struck, without a certainty of sharing in their fate—out of the whole number of which the crew was composed, nine only were saved.